Yes to workplace friendliness!
28 June 2012
Read by 1528 persons
No, work isn't all sweat and tears! Saying hello when you arrive in the morning, smiling at colleagues you meet in the hallway, organizing a drinks party... these things don't cost much and bring a lot.
So, what is friendliness?
For my part, I really identify with the definition in the Petit Robert dictionary: "Friendliness is a positive relationship between people within society."
Within the Entreprise et Convivialité association, we believe that "workplace friendliness is a state of mind and an approach that promotes well-being together at work, meaning individual well-being and collective efficiency."
I will also quote Jean-Claude Delgènes, CEO of Technologia: "Friendliness today represents one of the work axes for combating discomfort and suffering in organizations. We need to rediscover the pleasure of working! In the office, in the factory, we need to rediscover the pleasure of exchanging with colleagues, the joy of working together to achieve a common goal. In recent years, the conception of the company has been reduced to a purely financial asset that must be made profitable at all costs."
And I will end with Philippe Détrié, a management consultant, who advocates "a little gentleness in this world of gross margin."
Why workplace friendliness?
As you will have understood, we all have an interest in developing friendliness at work.
Indeed, it promotes collective efficiency, particularly in terms of:
• Performance: a more favorable work atmosphere.
• Enhancement: development of respect, consideration and recognition.
• Curiosity: attention to others, openness, enjoyment of contact.
• Teamwork: fluidity of exchanges, creation of a climate of trust and benevolence, increased sense of belonging.
• Attractiveness: improvement of the company's image internally (loyalty) and externally (recruitment, quality of customer relations).
And everyone's well-being thanks to more:
• Pleasure: benefit from a more pleasant work environment.
• Self-esteem: development of self-confidence.
• Serenity: reduction of stress and hardship.
• Authenticity: being yourself allows you to be more at ease.
• Integration: welcoming new recruits.
5 friendly actions to put in place
1. Bosses, offer coffee in the office. Getting together to drink it creates team spirit and develops company culture. And, the cherry on top, give each employee a personalized mug.
2. When a new employee arrives, prepare their workspace: desk, computer, business card. Try it and you'll see the impact…
3. Don't schedule meetings starting before 9:30 am or ending after 6:00 pm, especially keeping mothers in mind.
4. Install a welcome sign for visitors (candidates, clients, suppliers…) and systematically offer them a welcome drink. They will be in great shape to approach interviews and meetings.
5. Organize a picnic in the summer: each employee brings their specialty and management takes care of the drinks. A small budget for a great moment of friendliness.
Patrick Hannedouche.
Etre-bien-au-travail.fr
Posted online on June 28, 2012.
So, what is friendliness?
For my part, I really identify with the definition in the Petit Robert dictionary: "Friendliness is a positive relationship between people within society."
Within the Entreprise et Convivialité association, we believe that "workplace friendliness is a state of mind and an approach that promotes well-being together at work, meaning individual well-being and collective efficiency."
I will also quote Jean-Claude Delgènes, CEO of Technologia: "Friendliness today represents one of the work axes for combating discomfort and suffering in organizations. We need to rediscover the pleasure of working! In the office, in the factory, we need to rediscover the pleasure of exchanging with colleagues, the joy of working together to achieve a common goal. In recent years, the conception of the company has been reduced to a purely financial asset that must be made profitable at all costs."
And I will end with Philippe Détrié, a management consultant, who advocates "a little gentleness in this world of gross margin."
Why workplace friendliness?
As you will have understood, we all have an interest in developing friendliness at work.
Indeed, it promotes collective efficiency, particularly in terms of:
• Performance: a more favorable work atmosphere.
• Enhancement: development of respect, consideration and recognition.
• Curiosity: attention to others, openness, enjoyment of contact.
• Teamwork: fluidity of exchanges, creation of a climate of trust and benevolence, increased sense of belonging.
• Attractiveness: improvement of the company's image internally (loyalty) and externally (recruitment, quality of customer relations).
And everyone's well-being thanks to more:
• Pleasure: benefit from a more pleasant work environment.
• Self-esteem: development of self-confidence.
• Serenity: reduction of stress and hardship.
• Authenticity: being yourself allows you to be more at ease.
• Integration: welcoming new recruits.
5 friendly actions to put in place
1. Bosses, offer coffee in the office. Getting together to drink it creates team spirit and develops company culture. And, the cherry on top, give each employee a personalized mug.
2. When a new employee arrives, prepare their workspace: desk, computer, business card. Try it and you'll see the impact…
3. Don't schedule meetings starting before 9:30 am or ending after 6:00 pm, especially keeping mothers in mind.
4. Install a welcome sign for visitors (candidates, clients, suppliers…) and systematically offer them a welcome drink. They will be in great shape to approach interviews and meetings.
5. Organize a picnic in the summer: each employee brings their specialty and management takes care of the drinks. A small budget for a great moment of friendliness.
Patrick Hannedouche.
Etre-bien-au-travail.fr
Posted online on June 28, 2012.
